Skin- or hair-cleansing composition containing aqueous gelling agent, and methods for producing aqueous gelling agent and cleansing composition

ABSTRACT

A skin- or hair-cleansing composition including a component (A), which is an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) described in the specification, and a component (B), which is an anionic surfactant, wherein the component (A) presents a viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of at 25° C. of 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s and a clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) of 60° C. to 80° C., and has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 30,000; a method for producing the aqueous gelling agent and a method for producing the skin- or hair-cleansing composition are provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a cleansing composition which exhibits flow properties suitable for a skin- or hair-cleansing agent, has high temperature stability in terms of the viscosity thereof, exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties, and imparts a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied; a method for producing an aqueous gelling agent contained in the cleansing composition; and a method for producing the cleansing composition.

BACKGROUND ART

Among viscosity adjusting agents, examples of well-known gelling agents include natural gelling agents, such as carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose, alkali thickening type gelling agents that are thickened by an alkali, such as poly(acrylic acid) and poly(acrylic acid)-containing copolymers, and urethane-based gelling agents, such as urethane-modified polyethers. Of these, many types of urethane-based gelling agents are produced for reasons such as being able to gel a variety of products more freely than other gelling agents, being able to impart a wide variety of viscosities to products to which such gelling agents are added, and hardly being affected by pH or salts.

In particular, hydrophobically modified polyether urethanes form elastic gels having a characteristic gelatinous texture and can give gels having excellent temperature stability, and are therefore widely blended and used in a variety of cosmetics and the like (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 4).

Hydrophobically modified polyether urethanes are hardly affected by pH or salts, and can therefore be used in cleaning applications in which anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants are blended. For example, Patent Document 5 discloses a detergent composition characterized by containing a hydrophobically modified polyether urethane as a component (A) and an anionic surfactant and/or an amphoteric surfactant as a component (B).

The main functions required of a cleansing agent for cleaning skin or hair are to exhibit excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties, to exhibit sufficient detergency, to have a viscosity at the time of use that facilitates use as a cleansing agent, and to be able to impart a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied. Furthermore, viscous cleansing compositions can attach to, and penetrate into, dirt and efficiently cause the dirt to lift and come off, and are therefore preferred in many cases. The detergent composition disclosed in Patent Document 5 is a viscous detergent composition and has the purpose of exhibiting excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties and imparting a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

-   [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.     2002-080329 -   [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.     2011-006371 -   [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.     2016-023180 -   [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.     2014-040385 -   [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No.     2002-105493

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

When put to practical use, however, the detergent composition disclosed in Patent Document 5 was insufficient in terms of performance such as flow properties, temperature stability in terms of viscosity, foaming properties, sustained foaming properties and texture (fresh feeling) when applied, and there was a need to develop a cleansing composition having further improved performance.

Solution to Problem

As a result of intensive studies, the inventors of this invention discovered a skin- or hair-cleansing composition that exhibits improved performance compared to conventional skin- or hair-cleansing compositions, and thereby completed this invention. That is, this invention is a cleansing composition that exhibits flow properties suitable for a skin- or hair-cleansing agent, has high temperature stability in terms of the viscosity thereof, exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties, and imparts a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied.

Specifically, this invention is a skin- or hair-cleansing composition which contains components (A) and (B) below, wherein the viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s, the clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) is 60 to 80° C., and the weight average molecular weight of component (A) is 10,000 to 30,000.

Component (A): An Aqueous Gelling Agent Represented by General Formula (1) Below

In the formula, R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, d denotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10; and

Component (B): An Anionic Surfactant

In addition, this invention provides a method for producing an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1), which can be used to produce a skin- or hair-cleansing composition, wherein compounds represented by general formulae (2) to (4) and higher fatty acid metal salts as catalysts are used, as described later.

Furthermore, this invention provides a method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition, the method comprising a step of combining an anionic surfactant with the aqueous gelling agent obtained using the production method described above.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

This invention can provide a skin- or hair-cleansing composition that exhibits flow properties suitable for a skin- or hair-cleansing agent, has high temperature stability in terms of the viscosity thereof, exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties, and imparts a favorable texture (fresh feeling) when applied.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention is an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) below.

In the formula, R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, d denotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10.

In general formula (1), R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of such a group include saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such as an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, a branched pentyl group, a secondary pentyl group, a tertiary pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a branched hexyl group, an secondary hexyl group, a tertiary hexyl group, an n-heptyl group, a branched heptyl group, a secondary heptyl group, a tertiary heptyl group, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a branched octyl group, a secondary octyl group, a tertiary octyl group, an n-nonyl group, a branched nonyl group, a secondary nonyl group, a tertiary nonyl group, an n-decyl group, a branched decyl group, a secondary decyl group, a tertiary decyl group, an n-undecyl group, a branched undecyl group, a secondary undecyl group, a tertiary undecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, a branched dodecyl group, a secondary dodecyl group, a tertiary dodecyl group, an n-tridecyl group, a branched tridecyl group, a secondary tridecyl group, a tertiary tridecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, a branched tetradecyl group, a secondary tetradecyl group, a tertiary tetradecyl group, an n-pentadecyl group, branched pentadecyl group, a secondary pentadecyl group, tertiary pentadecyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a branched hexadecyl group, a secondary hexadecyl group, a tertiary hexadecyl group, an n-heptadecyl group, a branched heptadecyl group, a secondary heptadecyl group, a tertiary heptadecyl group, an n-octadecyl group, a branched octadecyl group, a secondary octadecyl group, a tertiary octadecyl group, an n-nonadecyl group, a branched nonadecyl group, a secondary nonadecyl group, a tertiary nonadecyl group, an n-eicosyl group, a branched eicosyl group, a secondary eicosyl group, and a tertiary eicosyl group; and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such as a 1-butenyl group, a 2-butenyl group, a 3-butenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-propenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-propenyl group, a 1-pentenyl group, a 2-pentenyl group, a 3-pentenyl group, a 4-pentenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-butenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-butenyl group, a 1-hexenyl group, a 2-hexenyl group, a 3-hexenyl group, a 4-hexenyl group, a 5-hexenyl group, a 1-heptenyl group, a 6-heptenyl group, a 1-octenyl group, a 7-octenyl group, a 8-nonenyl group, a 1-decenyl group, a 9-decenyl group, a 10-undecenyl group, a 1-dodecenyl group, a 4-dodecenyl group, a 11-dodecenyl group, a 12-tridecenyl group, a 13-tetradecenyl group, a 14-pentadecenyl group, a 15-hexadecenyl group, a 16-heptadecenyl group, a 1-octadecenyl group, a 17-octadecenyl group, a 1-nonadecenyl group, and a 1-eicosenyl group;

aromatic hydrocarbon groups such as a phenyl group, a toluyl group, a xylyl group, a cumenyl group, a mesityl group, a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a styryl group, a cinnamyl group, a benzhydryl group, a trityl group, an ethylphenyl group, a propylphenyl group, a butylphenyl group, a pentylphenyl group, a hexylphenyl group, a heptylphenyl group, an octylphenyl group, a nonylphenyl group, a decylphenyl group, an undecylphenyl group, a dodecylphenyl group, a styrenated phenyl group, a p-cumylphenyl group, a phenylphenyl group, a benzylphenyl group, an α-naphthyl group, and a β-naphthyl group; and alicyclic hydrocarbon groups such as a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclooctyl group, a methylcyclopentyl group, a methylcyclohexyl group, a methylcycloheptyl group, a methylcyclooctyl group, a 4,4,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexyl group, a 1,3-dibutylcyclohexyl group, a norbornyl group, a bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl group, an adamantyl group, a 1-cyclobutenyl group, a 1-cyclopentenyl group, a 3-cyclopentenyl group, a 1-cyclohexenyl group, a 3-cyclohexenyl group, a 3-cycloheptenyl group, a 4-cyclooctenyl group, a 2-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl group, and a 3,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenyl group. In this invention, if R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ are not such hydrocarbon groups, it is not possible to obtain a cleansing composition that satisfies all of the advantageous effects of this invention, and especially a cleaning composition that exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties and imparts a favorable texture when applied.

R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ may be the same as, or different from, each other. Of these, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups are preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups are more preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 5 to 18 carbon atoms are further preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms are yet further preferred, and saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 12 carbon atoms are most preferred from the perspectives of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention, ease of procurement of raw materials and ease of production.

In general formula (1), R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such a hydrocarbon group include an ethylene group; a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group; branched propylene groups such as a propane-1,2-diyl group and a propane-2,2-diyl group; linear butylene groups such as a butane-1,4-diyl group, a butane-1,2-diyl group, a butane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-2,3-diyl group, a butane-1,1-diyl group, and a butane-2,2-diyl group; and branched butylene groups such as a 2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl group and a 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl group. Of these, linear divalent hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred, an ethylene group and a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group are more preferred, and an ethylene group is further preferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention. Moreover, the R³ groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other, the R⁵ groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other, and the R⁷ groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other.

In general formula (1), R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. Examples of such hydrocarbon groups include divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 16 carbon atoms, divalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 16 carbon atoms and divalent alicyclic hydrocarbon groups having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. These hydrocarbon groups may be any type as long as the number of carbon atoms falls within the range 3 to 16, but a group obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from a diisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4), which is described below, is preferred from the perspectives of ease of production and ease of procurement of raw materials. A detailed explanation of this is given later.

a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100. Within this range, these values are preferably 12 to 50, and more preferably 15 to 30, from the perspectives of ease of production and procurement of raw materials and readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

d denotes a number from 100 to 500. Within this range, the value of d is preferably 120 to 450, more preferably 150 to 400, further preferably 180 to 350, and most preferably 200 to 300, from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

g denotes a number from 0 to 10. Within this range, the value of g is preferably 0 to 8, and more preferably 0 to 6, from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention. Moreover, an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0 behaves like a gelling accelerator when used in combination with an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10. Therefore, from the perspective of more readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention, a mixture of an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10 is more preferred, a mixture of an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 8 is further preferred, and a mixture of an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 6 is most preferred.

More specifically, an aqueous gelling agent in which the mass ratio of (aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10) and (aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0) is 95:5 to 85:15 can exhibit the advantageous effect of this invention to a remarkable extent. Moreover, an aqueous gelling agent in which the mass ratio of (aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 1 to 10) and (aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0) is 95:5 to 85:15 can give a soft gel which has particularly good self-smoothing properties and elasticity that enables use in a spray bottle, and can be advantageously used in a cleansing agent requiring these effects. Moreover, “self-leveling properties” means the property of naturally returning to a level surface after a physical impact is applied to a gel (for example, after a gel is scooped out or stirred). In addition, “able to be used in a spray bottle” means a soft gel state that exhibits elasticity when housed in a spray bottle and is easily sprayed like water when sprayed from the spray bottle (when a shear stress is applied to the gel).

Component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention is an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1), for which the viscosity of a 1 mass % aqueous solution at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s, the clouding point of the 1 mass % aqueous solution is 60° C. to 80° C., and the weight average molecular weight is 10,000 to 30,000. The method for producing component (A) must be a method by which component (A) having the properties mentioned above is obtained. This component can be synthesized in the presence of a specific catalyst using compounds represented by general formulae (2) to (4) below as raw materials.

In the formula, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and r denotes a number from 10 to 100.

In the formula, R¹³ denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and t denotes a number from 100 to 500. OCN-Q-NCO  (4)

In the formula, Q denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms.

In general formula (2), R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of such a hydrocarbon group include saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such as an n-butyl group, an isobutyl group, an s-butyl group, a t-butyl group, an n-pentyl group, a branched pentyl group, a secondary pentyl group, a tertiary pentyl group, an n-hexyl group, a branched hexyl group, a secondary hexyl group, a tertiary hexyl group, an n-heptyl group, a branched heptyl group, a secondary heptyl group, a tertiary heptyl group, an n-octyl group, a 2-ethylhexyl group, a branched octyl group, a secondary octyl group, a tertiary octyl group, an n-nonyl group, a branched nonyl group, a secondary nonyl group, a tertiary nonyl group, an n-decyl group, a branched decyl group, a secondary decyl group, a tertiary decyl group, an n-undecyl group, a branched undecyl group, a secondary undecyl group, a tertiary undecyl group, an n-dodecyl group, a branched dodecyl group, a secondary dodecyl group, a tertiary dodecyl group, an n-tridecyl group, a branched tridecyl group, a secondary tridecyl group, a tertiary tridecyl group, an n-tetradecyl group, a branched tetradecyl group, a secondary tetradecyl group, a tertiary tetradecyl group, an n-pentadecyl group, a branched pentadecyl group, a secondary pentadecyl group, a tertiary pentadecyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a branched hexadecyl group, a secondary hexadecyl group, a tertiary hexadecyl group, an n-heptadecyl group, a branched heptadecyl group, a secondary heptadecyl group, a tertiary heptadecyl group, an n-octadecyl group, a branched octadecyl group, a secondary octadecyl group, a tertiary octadecyl group, an n-nonadecyl group, a branched nonadecyl group, a secondary nonadecyl group, a tertiary nonadecyl group, an n-icosyl group, a branched icosyl group, a secondary icosyl group, and a tertiary icosyl group; and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups such as a 1-butenyl group, a 2-butenyl group, a 3-butenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-propenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-propenyl group, a 1-pentenyl group, a 2-pentenyl group, a 3-pentenyl group, a 4-pentenyl group, a 1-methyl-2-butenyl group, a 2-methyl-2-butenyl group, a 1-hexenyl group, a 2-hexenyl group, a 3-hexenyl group, a 4-hexenyl group, a 5-hexenyl group, a 1-heptenyl group, a 6-heptenyl group, a 1-octenyl group, a 7-octenyl group, a 8-nonenyl group, a 1-decenyl group, a 9-decenyl group, a 10-undecenyl group, a 1-dodecenyl group, a 4-dodecenyl group, a 1l-dodecenyl group, a 12-tridecenyl group, a 13-tetradecenyl group, a 14-pentadecenyl group, a 15-hexadecenyl group, a 16-heptadecenyl group, a 1-octadecenyl group, a 17-octadecenyl group, a 1-nonadecenyl group, and a 1-icosenyl group.

aromatic hydrocarbon groups such as a phenyl group, a toluyl group, a xylyl group, a cumenyl group, a mesityl group, a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, a styryl group, a cinnamyl group, a benzhydryl group, a trityl group, an ethylphenyl group, a propylphenyl group, a butylphenyl group, a pentylphenyl group, a hexylphenyl group, a heptylphenyl group, an octylphenyl groups, a nonylphenyl group, a decylphenyl group, an undecylphenyl group, a dodecylphenyl group, a styrenated phenyl group, a p-cumylphenyl group, a phenylphenyl group, a benzylphenyl group, an α-naphthyl group, and a A-naphthyl group; and alicyclic hydrocarbon groups such as a cyclopropyl group, a cyclobutyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclooctyl group, a methylcyclopentyl group, a methylcyclohexyl group, a methylcycloheptyl group, a methylcyclooctyl group, a 4,4,6,6-tetramethylcyclohexyl group, a 1,3-dibutylcyclohexyl group, a norbornyl group, a bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl group, an adamantyl group, a 1-cyclobutenyl group, a 1-cyclopentenyl group, a 3-cyclopentenyl group, a 1-cyclohexenyl group, a 3-cyclohexenyl group, a 3-cycloheptenyl group, a 4-cyclooctenyl group, a 2-methyl-3-cyclohexenyl group, and a 3,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexenyl group.

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be the same as, or different from, each other. Of these, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups are preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups are more preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 5 to 18 carbon atoms are further preferred, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms are yet further preferred, and saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 10 to 12 carbon atoms are most preferred from the perspectives of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention, ease of procurement of raw materials and ease of production.

In general formula (2), R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such a hydrocarbon group include an ethylene group; a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group; a branched propylene group such as a propane-1,2-diyl group and a propane-2,2-diyl group; linear butylene groups such as a butane-1,4-diyl group, a butane-1,2-diyl group, a butane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-2,3-diyl group, a butane-1,1-diyl group, and a butane-2,2-diyl group; and branched butylene groups such as a 2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl group and a 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl group. Of these, linear divalent hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred, an ethylene group and a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group are more preferred, and an ethylene group is further preferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention. Moreover, the R¹² groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other.

r denotes a number from 10 to 100, and within this range, the value of r is preferably a number from 12 to 50, and more preferably a number from 15 to 30, from the perspective of ease of procurement or production of a compound represented by general formula (2).

In general formula (3), R¹³ denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such hydrocarbon groups include an ethylene group; a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group; branched propylene groups such as a propane-1,2-diyl group and a propane-2,2-diyl group; linear butylene groups such as a butane-1,4-diyl group, a butane-1,2-diyl group, a butane-1,3-diyl group, a butane-2,3-diyl group, a butane-1,1-diyl group and a butane-2,2-diyl group; and branched butylene groups such as 2-methylpropane-1,3-diyl group and a 2-methylpropane-1,2-diyl group. Of these, linear divalent hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred, an ethylene group and a propane-1,3-diyl (linear propylene) group are more preferred, and an ethylene group is further preferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention. Moreover, the R¹³ groups may all be the same as, or different from, each other.

t denotes a number from 100 to 500, and within this range, the value of t is preferably 120 to 450, more preferably 150 to 400, further preferably 180 to 350, and most preferably 200 to 300 from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

Examples of diisocyanate compounds represented by general formula (4) include aliphatic diisocyanates such as trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 2,2-dimethylpentane diisocyanate, octamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane diisocyanate, nonamethylene diisocyanate, decamethylene diisocyanate, dodecamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (hydrogenated XDI) and 2,4,4 (or 2,2,4)-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI); and aromatic diisocyanates such as tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), toluidene diisocyanate (TODI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI) and naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI).

In general formula (4), Q may be any divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms, but a group obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from the diisocyanate compounds listed above is preferred. Among the diisocyanate compounds, aliphatic diisocyanates are preferred, trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), octamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (hydrogenated XDI) and 2,4,4 (or 2,2,4)-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI) are more preferred, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI) are further preferred, and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is most preferred.

Moreover, in general formula (1) above, R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms. More specifically, groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from the diisocyanate compounds listed above are preferred, groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from aliphatic diisocyanates are more preferred, groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from any of trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), octamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (hydrogenated XDI) and 2,4,4 (or 2,2,4)-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI) are further preferred, groups obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from any of tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI) are yet further preferred, and a group obtained by removing two isocyanate groups from hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) is most preferred.

Examples of specific catalysts used when producing component (A) include higher fatty acid metal salts selected from among lauric acid metal salts, myristic acid metal salts, palmitic acid metal salts, stearic acid metal salts and oleic acid metal salts, and it is possible to use one or more types of these. Moreover, metal salts means any of calcium salts, potassium salts, sodium salts and magnesium salts. Of these, lauric acid metal salts are preferred, and potassium laurate and sodium laurate are more preferred, from the perspective of being able to produce an aqueous gelling agent that exhibits the advantageous effect of this invention to a remarkable extent.

In general, an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) can be produced with or without using a catalyst. In cases where a catalyst is used, it is possible to use a metal halide such as titanium tetrachloride, hafnium chloride, zirconium chloride, aluminum chloride, gallium chloride, indium chloride, iron chloride, tin chloride or boron fluoride; an alkali metal or alkaline metal hydroxide, alcoholate or carbonate, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium methylate, or sodium carbonate; a metal oxide such as aluminum oxide, calcium oxide, barium oxide or sodium oxide; an organometallic compound such as tetraisopropyl titanate, dibutyltin dichloride, dibutyltin oxide, dibutyltin dilaurate or dibutyltin bis(2-ethylhexylthioglycolate); or a soap such as sodium octylate or potassium octylate. However, an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1), for which the viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s, the clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A) is 60° C. to 80° C., and the weight average molecular weight of component (A) is 10,000 to 30,000, can be obtained using the higher fatty acid metal salts mentioned above. In cases where a catalyst is not used or in cases where a catalyst other than a higher fatty acid metal salt is used, the viscosity of a 1 mass % aqueous solution, the clouding point of a 1 mass % aqueous solution and the weight average molecular weight might, in some cases, deviate from the specifications of component (A) of this invention.

As to the amount of the higher fatty acid metal salt to be used as a catalyst, the higher fatty acid metal salt may be used at a quantity of 0.01 to 5 mass % relative to the overall quantity of the reaction system for the production of component (A). Within this range, the higher fatty acid metal salt is preferably used at a quantity of 0.1 to 2 mass %, and more preferably 0.5 to 1 mass %, relative to the overall reaction system from the perspective of satisfactorily achieving a significant advantageous effect. If this quantity is less than 0.01 mass %, the function of the catalyst is not sufficiently exhibited and component (A) used in this invention might not be obtained, and if this quantity exceeds 5 mass %, an advantageous effect commensurate with the added quantity might not be achieved. Moreover, a removal step is not carried out following production of component (A) in this invention, and the catalyst remains in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition containing components (A) and (B) of this invention, and the remaining quantity of catalyst depends on the usage quantity of the catalyst in the production of component (A) and the blending quantity of component (A) in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition described below.

A method for synthesizing component (A) in the presence of a specific catalyst using compounds represented by general formulae (2) to (4) listed above as raw materials can be given as an example of a method for producing component (A). For example, a reaction should be carried out after adding 1.5 to 2.4 moles, preferably 1.8 to 2.2 moles, and more preferably 1.9 to 2.1 moles, of an alcohol compound represented by general formula (2), 0.5 to 1.4 moles, preferably 0.8 to 1.2 moles, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.1 moles, of a polyalkylene glycol represented by general formula (3) and a catalyst to 2 moles of a diisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4). An example of a method includes one in which specific reaction conditions are such that the diisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4), the alcohol compound represented by general formula (2) and the polyalkylene glycol represented by general formula (3) are added to the system together with the catalyst and allowed to react for 1 to 10 hours at 60° C. to 100° C. An example of a method includes one in which more specific reaction conditions are such that a system containing the alcohol compound represented by general formula (2) and the polyalkylene glycol represented by general formula (3) is homogeneously mixed, after which the diisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4) and the catalyst are added and allowed to react for 1 to 10 hours at 60° C. to 100° C.

The viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A), which is contained in skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention, at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s. Within this range, the viscosity is preferably 1,500 to 4,000 mPa·s, and more preferably 2,000 to 3,500 mPa·s, from the perspective of achieving the advantageous effect of this invention to a more remarkable extent. A viscosity measurement method using a B type viscometer at 25° C., as described in JIS Z 8803: 2011, can be used as a method for measuring the viscosity of the 1 mass % aqueous solution at 25° C.

The clouding point of the aqueous solution containing 1 mass % of component (A), which constitutes the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention, is 60° C. to 80° C. Within this range, the clouding point is preferably 60° C. to 70° C. from the perspective of achieving the advantageous effect of this invention to a more remarkable extent. A method comprising preparing a 1 mass % aqueous solution of component (A), gradually increasing the temperature of the aqueous solution, and taking the clouding point to be the temperature at which turbidity occurs can be used as a method for measuring the clouding point.

The weight average molecular weight of component (A), which is contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention, is 10,000 to 30,000. Within this range, the weight average molecular weight is preferably 12,000 to 25,000, and more preferably 15,000 to 20,000, from the perspective of achieving the advantageous effect of this invention to a more remarkable extent. A method comprising measuring the weight average molecular weight in terms of standard polystyrene using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) can be used as a method for measuring the weight average molecular weight. In this invention, by incorporating component (A) whose weight average molecular weight falls within this range, it is possible to obtain a cleansing composition that satisfies all of the advantageous effects of this invention, and it is also possible to obtain, in particular, a cleansing composition that exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties and imparts a favorable texture when applied.

Component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention is a solid or viscous substance at room temperature. From the perspective of ease of handling when blended in a cleansing agent, it is preferable to first dissolve component (A) in a solvent such as water so as to obtain a liquid. The amount of solvent is not particularly limited, but from the perspective of ease of handling, this quantity is preferably such that the content of component (A) is 10 to 50 mass %, and more preferably 15 to 40 mass %.

Examples of solvents able to be used include water and volatile primary alcohol compounds such as methanol, ethanol and propanol. Meanwhile, because use of volatile solvents may be restricted according to the site of use, water is most preferred among these solvents.

The blending quantity of component (A) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.05 to 30 mass %, more preferably 0.1 to 20 mass %, further preferably 0.5 to 10 mass %, and most preferably 1 to 5 mass %, relative to the overall quantity of the cleansing composition in order to form an aqueous gel that can readily achieve the advantageous effect of this invention.

Component (B) contained in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention is an anionic surfactant. This component is not particularly limited as long as the component is an anionic surfactant well known in the cosmetic industry. Examples of anionic surfactants suitable for use in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention include higher fatty acid salt-based surfactants, sulfonic acid salt-based surfactants, sulfate ester salt-based surfactants, phosphate ester salt-based surfactants and sulfosuccinic acid salt-based surfactants.

Examples of higher fatty acid salt-based surfactants include salts (potassium salts, sodium salts, triethanolamine salts, ammonium salts, and the like) of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, coconut oil fatty acid, hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acid, palm oil fatty acid, hydrogenated palm oil fatty acid, beef tallow fatty acid, hydrogenated beef tallow fatty acid, and the like; alkyl ether carboxylic acid salts, alkyl allyl ether carboxylic acid salts, N-acylsarcosine salts and N-acylglutamic acid salts. Specific examples thereof include potassium laurate, sodium laurate, sodium palmitate, potassium myristate, sodium lauryl ether carboxylate, sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate, sodium N-lauroylglutamate, sodium coconut oil fatty acid glutamate, disodium N-stearoylglutamate, monosodium N-myristoyl-L-glutamate, sodium coconut oil fatty acid isethionate and triethanolamine coconut oil fatty acid.

Examples of sulfonic acid salt-based surfactants include higher fatty acid amide sulfonic acid salts, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid salts, N-acylamino sulfonic acid salts, α-olefin sulfonic acid salts, higher fatty acid ester sulfonic acid salts and hydroxyalkyl sulfonic acid salts. Specific examples thereof include sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyltaurine, sodium N-stearoyl-N-methyltaurine, sodium coconut oil fatty acid methyltaurine, sodium coconut oil fatty acid acylmethyltaurine, sodium laurylmethyltaurine, sodium salts of (C₁₄-C₁₆) olefin sulfonic acids, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium N-cocoyl-N-methyltaurine and sodium lauryl glucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate.

Examples of sulfate ester-based surfactants include higher alkyl sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates, higher fatty acid ester sulfates, secondary alcohol sulfates and higher fatty acid alkylolamide sulfates. Specific examples thereof include sodium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfate, sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulfate and sodium hydrogenated coconut oil fatty acid glycerin sulfate. Examples of phosphate ester-based surfactants include triethanolamine monolauryl phosphate, dipotassium monolauryl phosphate, sodium polyoxyethylene oleyl ether phosphate and sodium polyoxyethylene stearyl ether phosphate.

Examples of sulfosuccinic acid salt-based surfactants include sodium polyoxyethylene alkyl sulfosuccinates, sodium di-2-ethylhexyl sulfosuccinate, sodium monolauroyl monoethanolamide polyoxyethylene sulfosuccinate and sodium lauryl polypropylene glycol sulfosuccinate. Of these, higher fatty acid salt-based surfactants, sulfonic acid salt-based surfactants and sulfate ester salt-based surfactants are preferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

It is possible to blend one or more anionic surfactants, which are components (B) that constitute the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention. The blending quantity thereof is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.5 to 50 mass %, more preferably 3 to 30 mass %, and further preferably 5 to 20 mass %, relative to the overall quantity of the cleansing composition from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

The blending ratio (mass ratio) of component (A) and component (B) is not particularly limited, but from the perspectives of exhibiting the gelling effect of component (A) to a remarkable extent and achieving flow properties suitable for a cleansing composition, the component (A): component (B) mass ratio is preferably 1:0.02 to 1:50, more preferably 1:0.03 to 1:30, and further preferably 1:0.1 to 1:10.

Furthermore, the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention may contain an amphoteric surfactant as a component (C), and using such a component in combination with component (A) and component (B) is preferred from the perspective of being able to obtain a skin- or hair-cleansing composition that exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties and imparts a favorable texture when applied.

Component (C) is not particularly limited as long as this is an amphoteric surfactant well known in the cosmetic industry, and examples of amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention include imidazoline-based amphoteric surfactants, betaine type amphoteric surfactants, acyl tertiary amine oxides and acyl tertiary phosphine oxides.

Examples of imidazoline-based amphoteric surfactants include sodium 2-undecyl-N,N,N-(hydroxyethylcarboxymethyl)-2-imidazoline and 2-cocoyl-2-imidazolinium hydroxide-1-carboxyethyloxy disodium salt. Examples of betaine-based amphoteric surfactants include alkyl betaines, alkylamide betaines, alkylsulfo betaines, alkylhydroxysulfo betaines and phosphobetaines, and specific examples thereof include lauryl dimethylamino acetic acid betaine, myristyl dimethylamino acetic acid betaine, coconut oil fatty acid amidopropyl betaine, coconut oil fatty acid dimethylsulfopropyl betaine, lauryldimethylaminohydroxysulfo betaine, laurylhydroxyphosphobetaine, 2-heptadecyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine and coconut oil alkyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine. Examples of acyl tertiary amine oxides include lauryldimethylamine oxide. Examples of acyl tertiary phosphine oxides include lauryldimethylphosphine oxide. Of these, betaine-based amphoteric surfactants are more preferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

It is possible to blend one or more amphoteric surfactants, which are components (C), and the blending quantity thereof is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0 to 40 mass %, more preferably 1 to 20 mass %, and further preferably 2 to 10 mass %, relative to the overall quantity of the cleansing composition from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

Moreover, in cases where the anionic surfactant of component (B) and the amphoteric surfactant of component (C) are both used, the blending ratio (mass ratio) of these components is not particularly limited, but the component (B):component (C) mass ratio is preferably 10:0 to 10:40, and preferably 10:2 to 10:10, from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

Furthermore, the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this composition may contain a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, which is one type of non-ionic surfactant, as a component (D), and using such a component in combination with component (A) and component (B) is preferred from the perspective of being able to obtain a skin- or hair-cleansing composition that exhibits flow properties suitable for a cleansing agent and imparts a favorable texture when applied.

Component (D) is not particularly limited as long as this is a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer well-known in the cosmetic industry, but examples of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers suitable for use in the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention include Poloxamer 101, Poloxamer 105, Poloxamer 123, Poloxamer 1214, Poloxamer 181, Poloxamer 182, Poloxamer 184, Poloxamer 185, Poloxamer 188, Poloxamer 215, Poloxamer 217, Poloxamer 234, Poloxamer 235, Poloxamer 331, Poloxamer 333, Poloxamer 335, Poloxamer 338 and Poloxamer 407. Of these, Poloxamer 184 is more preferred from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

It is possible to blend one or more polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, which are components (D), and the blending quantity thereof is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0 to 40 mass %, more preferably 1 to 20 mass %, and further preferably 2 to 10 mass %, relative to the overall quantity of the cleansing composition from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

Moreover, in cases where the anionic surfactant of component (B) and the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer of component (D) are both used, the blending ratio (mass ratio) of these components is not particularly limited, but the mass ratio of anionic surfactant to polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer is preferably 10:0 to 10:40, and the mass ratio of anionic surfactant to polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer is preferably 10:2 to 10:20 from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

In addition, in cases where the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention contains both the amphoteric surfactant of component (C) and the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer of component (D), the blending ratio (mass ratio) of these components is not particularly limited, but the mass ratio of component (C) to component (D) is preferably 10:1 to 10:100, more preferably 10:2 to 10:50, and further preferably 10:5 to 10:20 from the perspective of readily achieving the advantageous effect of this invention.

The skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention may contain other additives commonly used in cosmetic compositions in order to impart a variety of characteristics as appropriate within qualitative and quantitative ranges without impairing the advantageous effect of this invention. Examples thereof include powder components, liquid oils/fats, ester oils, silicone oils, solid oils/fats, waxes, hydrocarbon oils, higher fatty acids, higher alcohols, polyol compounds, non-ionic surfactants other than the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer of component (D), cationic surfactants, humectants, water-soluble polymer compounds, metal ion sequestering agents, sugars, amino acids and derivatives thereof, organic amines, pH adjusting agents, antioxidants, preservatives, blood circulation promoters, antiphlogistic agents, activators, whitening agents, antiseborrheic agents, anti-inflammatory agents and a variety of extracts, and one or more of these can be blended according to need.

Examples of powder components include inorganic powders (for example, talc, kaolin, mica, sericite, muscovite, phlogopite, synthetic mica, red mica, biotite, vermiculite, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, aluminum silicate, barium silicate, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, strontium silicate, metal tungstates, magnesium, silica, zeolites, barium sulfate, calcined calcium sulfate (calcined gypsum), calcium phosphate, fluorapatite, hydroxyapatite, ceramic powders, metal soaps (for example, zinc myristate, calcium palmitate and aluminum stearate), boron nitride, and the like); organic powders (for example, polyamide resin powders (nylon powders), polyethylene powders, poly(methyl methacrylate) powders, polystyrene powders, styrene-acrylic acid copolymer resin powders, benzoguanamine resin powders, polytetrafluoroethylene powders, cellulose powders, and the like); inorganic white pigments (for example, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and the like); inorganic red pigments (for example, iron oxide (red iron oxide), iron titanate, and the like); inorganic brown pigments (for example, γ-iron oxide and the like); inorganic yellow pigments (for example, yellow iron oxide, loess, and the like); inorganic black pigments (for example, black iron oxide, lower-order titanium oxides, and the like); inorganic violet pigments (for example, manganese violet, cobalt violet, and the like); inorganic green pigments (for example, chromium oxide, chromium hydroxide, cobalt titanate, and the like); inorganic blue pigments (for example, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue, and the like); pearlescent pigments (for example, titanium oxide-coated mica, titanium oxide-coated bismuth oxychloride, titanium oxide-coated talc, colored titanium oxide-coated mica, bismuth oxychloride, fish scales, and the like); metal powder pigments (for example, aluminum powders, copper powders, and the like); organic pigments such as zirconium, barium and aluminum lakes (for example, organic pigments such as Red 201, Red 202, Red 204, Red 205, Red 220, Red 226, Red 228, Red 405, Orange 203, Orange 204, Yellow 205, Yellow 401 and Blue 404; Red 3, Red 104, Red 106, Red 227, Red 230, Red 401, Red 505, Orange 205, Yellow 4, Yellow 5, Yellow 202, Yellow 203, Green 3, Blue 1, and the like); and natural dyes (for example, chlorophyll, β-carotene, and the like).

Examples of liquid oils/fats include avocado oil, camellia oil, turtle oil, macadamia nut oil, corn oil, mink oil, olive oil, rape seed oil, egg yolk oil, sesame oil, persic oil, wheat germ oil, sasanqua oil, castor oil, linseed oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, perilla oil, soy bean oil, peanut oil, tea seed oil, kaya oil, rice bran oil, Chinese tung oil, Japanese tung oil, jojoba oil, germ oil, and triglycerides.

Examples of ester oils include isopropyl myristate, octyldodecyl myristate, isopropyl isostearate, isononyl isononanoate, isotridecyl isononanoate, butyl stearate, oleyl oleate, octyldodecyl ricinoleate, octyl hydroxystearate, ethylhexyl para-methoxycinnamate, neopentyl glycol dicaprate, propylene glycol dicaprate, diisostearyl malate, polyglyceryl diisostearate, polyglyceryl triisostearate, glyceryl diisostearate, glyceryl triisostearate, glyceryl tri(caprylate/caprate), glyceryl trihexanoate, glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate, trimethylolpropane tri-2-ethylhexanoate, trimethylolpropane triisostearate, dl-α-tocopherol, dl-α-tocopherol nicotinate, pentaerythrityl tetraoctanoate, and dipentaerythrityl tripolyhydroxystearate.

Examples of silicone oils include polysiloxanes, dimethylpolysiloxanes, dimethicone, methylphenylpolysiloxanes, cyclic dimethicone, amino-modified silicones, carbinol-modified silicones, methacrylic-modified silicones, mercapto-modified silicones, phenol-modified silicones, polyether-modified silicones, methylstyryl-modified silicones, alkyl-modified silicones, and higher fatty acid ester-modified silicones.

Examples of solid oils/fats include cocoa butter, coconut oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, Japan wax kernel oil, hydrogenated oils, Japan wax, and hydrogenated castor oil.

Examples of waxes include beeswax, candelilla wax, cotton wax, carnauba wax, bayberry wax, insect wax, spermaceti, montan wax, bran wax, lanolin, kapok wax, lanolin acetate, liquid lanolin, sugar cane wax, isopropyl lanolin fatty acids, hexyl laurate, reduced lanolin, jojoba wax, hard lanolin, shellac wax, POE lanolin alcohol ethers, POE lanolin alcohol acetates, POE cholesterol ethers, polyethylene glycol lanolate, and POE hydrogenated lanolin alcohol ethers.

Examples of hydrocarbon oils include liquid paraffin, ozokerite, squalane, pristane, paraffin, ceresin, squalene, Vaseline, and microcrystalline waxes.

Examples of higher fatty acids include decanoic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, undecylenic acid, tall oil fatty acids, 12-hydroxystearic acid, isostearic acid, linolic acid, linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Examples of higher alcohols include linear alcohols such as decyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, and cetostearyl alcohol; and branched alcohols such as monostearyl glycerin ether (batyl alcohol), 2-decyltetradecyl alcohol, lanolin alcohol, cholesterol, phytosterols, hexyldodecanol, isostearyl alcohol, and octyldodecanol.

Examples of polyol compounds include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerin, diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and sugar alcohols.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants except a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer as the component (D) include sorbitan fatty acid esters (for example, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan sesquiolate, sorbitan trioleate, diglycerol sorbitan penta-2-ethylhexanoate, diglycerol sorbitan tetra-2-ethylhexanoate, and the like); glycerol/polyglycerol fatty acids (for example, glycerol mono-cottonseed oil fatty acids, glycerol monoerucate, glycerol sesquioleate, glycerol monostearate, glycerol POE-monostearate, polyglycerol monoisostearate, glycerol α,α′-oleate pyroglutamate, glycerol monostearate malate, and the like); propylene glycol fatty acid esters (for example, propylene glycol monostearate and the like); hydrogenated castor oil derivatives; glycerol/polyglycerol alkyl ethers (for example, polyglyceryl/polyoxybutylene stearyl ether and the like); POE-sorbitan fatty acid esters (for example, POE-sorbitan monooleate, POE-sorbitan monostearate, POE-sorbitan tetraoleate, and the like); POE sorbitol fatty acid esters (for example, POE-sorbitol monolaurate, POE-sorbitol monooleate, POE-sorbitol pentaoleate, POE-sorbitol monostearate, and the like); POE-glycerin fatty acid esters (for example, POE-glycerin monostearate, POE-glycerin monoisostearate, POE-glycerin triisostearate); and POE-difatty acid esters (for example, POE-distearate, POE-dioleate, and the like);

POE-alkyl ethers (for example, POE-lauryl ether, POE-oleyl ether, POE-stearyl ether, POE-behenyl ether, POE-2-octyldodecyl ether, POE-cholestanol ether, and the like); POE/POP-alkyl ethers (for example, POE/POP-lauryl ether, POE/POP-cetyl ether, POE/POP-2-decyltetradecyl ether, POE/POP-monobutyl ether, POE/POP-hydrogenated lanolin, POE/POP-glycerin ether, and the like); tetra POE/tetra POP-ethylenediamine condensates (for example, Tetronic surfactants and the like); POE-castor oil/hydrogenated castor oil derivatives (for example, POE-castor oil, POE-hydrogenated castor oil, POE-hydrogenated castor oil monoisostearate, POE-hydrogenated castor oil triisostearate, POE-hydrogenated castor oil monopyroglutamate monoisostearate diester, POE-hydrogenated castor oil maleate, and the like); POE beeswax/lanolin derivatives (for example, POE sorbitol beeswax and the like); alkanolamides (for example, coconut oil fatty acid diethanolamide, coconut oil fatty acid monoethanolamide, lauric acid monoethanolamide, fatty acid isopropanolamides, and the like); POE-propylene glycol fatty acid esters; POE alkylamines; N-methylalkylglucamides (for example, N-methyllaurylglucamide and the like); N-polyhydroxyalkyl fatty acid amides; POE-fatty acid amides; sucrose fatty acid esters (for example, sucrose monostearate, sucrose monolaurate, POE-sucrose monolaurate, and the like); alkylethoxydimethylamine oxides; and trioleylphosphonic acid. Moreover, POE is an abbreviation of polyoxyethylene, and POP is an abbreviation of polyoxypropylene.

Examples of cationic surfactants include alkyltrimethyl ammonium salts such as cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, stearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, lauryltrimethyl ammonium chloride, behenyltrimethyl ammonium chloride and behenyltrimethyl ammonium methosulfate; alkyltriethyl ammonium salts such as cetyltriethyl ammonium chloride, stearyltriethyl ammonium chloride, lauryltriethyl ammonium chloride, behenyltriethyl ammonium chloride cetyltriethyl ammonium methosulfate and behenyltriethyl ammonium methosulfate; dialkyldimethyl ammonium salts such as distearyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dicetyldimethyl ammonium chloride, dilauryldimethyl ammonium chloride and stearyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; alkoxyalkyltrimethyl ammonium salts such as stearoxypropyltrimethyl anmonium chloride, stearoxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride and stearoxyhydroxypropyltrimethyl amnonium chloride; salts produced by reacting an alkyldimethylamine, such as N,N-dimethylbehenylamine or N,N-dimethylstearylamine, with an organic acid or inorganic acid; salts produced by reacting an alkoxydimethylamine, such as N,N-dimethyl-3-hexadecyloxypropylamine or N,N-dimethyl-3-octadecyloxypropylamine, with an organic acid or inorganic acid; and amide compounds such as diethylaminoethyl stearic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl stearic acid amide, diethylaminoethyl palmitic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl palmitic acid amide, diethylaminoethyl myristic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl myristic acid amide, diethylaminoethyl behenic acid amide, dimethylaminoethyl behenic acid amide, diethylaminopropyl stearic acid amide, dimethylaminopropyl stearic acid amide, diethylaminopropyl palmitic acid amide, dimethylaminopropyl palmitic acid amide, diethylaminopropyl myristic acid amide, dimethylaminopropyl myristic acid amide, diethylaminopropyl behenic acid amide and dimethylaminopropyl behenic acid amide.

Examples of humectants include polyethylene glycol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol, L-glutamic acid, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, mucoitin sulfate, calonic acid, atelocollagen, cholesteryl-12-hydroxystearate, sodium lactate, bile salts, dl-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid salts, short chain soluble collagen, diglycerol (EO)PO adducts, Rosa roxburghii extract, Achillea millefolium extract, and melilot extract.

Examples of water-soluble polymer compounds include starch-based polymers (for example, carboxymethyl starch, methylhydroxypropyl starch, and the like); cellulose-based polymers (methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, methylhydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, sodium cellulose sulfate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, crystalline cellulose, cellulose powders, and the like); alginic acid-based polymers (for example, sodium alginate, propylene glycol alginate, and the like); vinyl-based polymers (for example, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl methyl ether), polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxyvinyl polymers, and the like); polyoxyethylene-based polymers (for example, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers prepared from polyethylene glycol 20,000, 40,000 or 60,000 and the like); acrylic-based polymers (for example, sodium polyacrylate, poly(ethyl acrylate), polyacrylamide, and the like); polyethyleneimine, and cation polymers.

Examples of metal ion-sequestering agents include 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, tetrasodium 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate, disodium edetate, trisodium edetate, tetrasodium edetate, sodium citrate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium metaphosphate, gluconic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, edetic acid and trisodium ethylenediamine hydroxyethyl triacetate.

Examples of monosaccharides include trioses (for example, D-glyceryl aldehyde, dihydroxyacetone, and the like); tetroses (for example, D-erythrose, D-erythrulose, D-threose, erythritol, and the like); pentoses (for example, L-arabinose, D-xylose, L-lyxose, D-arabinose, D-ribose, D-ribulose, D-xylulose, L-xylulose, and the like); hexoses (for example, D-glucose, D-talose, D-psicose, D-galactose, D-fructose, L-galactose, L-mannose, D-tagatose, and the like); heptoses (for example, aldoheptose, hepulose, and the like); octoses (for example, octulose and the like), deoxy sugars (for example, 2-deoxy-D-ribose, 6-deoxy-L-galactose, 6-deoxy-L-mannose, and the like); amino sugars (for example, D-glucosamine, D-galactosamine, sialic acid, aminouronic acid, muramic acid, and the like); uronic acids (for example, D-glucuronic acid, D-mannuronic acid, L-guluronic acid, D-galacturonic acid, L-iduronic acid, and the like).

Examples of oligosaccharides include sucrose, umbelliferose, lactose, planteose, isolychnose, α,α-trehalose, raffinose, lychnose, umbilicin, stachyose and verbascose.

Examples of polysaccharides include cellulose, quince seed, chondroitin sulfate, starch, galactan, dermatan sulfate, glycogen, gum Arabic, heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, gum tragacanth, keratan sulfate, chondroitin, xanthan gum, mucoitin sulfate, guar gum, dextran, keratosulfate, locust bean gum, succinoglycan and calonic acid.

Examples of amino acids include neutral amino acids (for example, threonine, cysteine, and the like) and basic amino acids (for example, hydroxylysine). In addition, examples of amino acid derivatives include sodium acyl sarcosinate (sodium lauroyl sarcosinate), acyl glutamates, sodium acyl β-alanine, glutathione and pyrrolidone carboxylic acid.

Examples of organic amines include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, morpholine, triisopropanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propane diol and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol.

Examples of pH-adjusting agents include buffering agents such as lactic acid-sodium lactate, citric acid-sodium citrate and succinic acid-sodium succinate.

Examples of vitamins include vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E and derivatives thereof, pantothenic acid and derivatives thereof, and biotin.

Examples of antioxidants include tocopherols, dibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, and gallic acid esters.

Examples of other components able to be blended include preservatives (methylparaben, ethylparaben, butylparaben, phenoxyethanol, and the like); antiphlogistic agents (for example, glycyrrhizinic acid derivatives, glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives, salicylic acid derivatives, hinokitiol, zinc oxide, allantoin, and the like); whitening agents (for example, meadow saxifrage extracts, arbutin, and the like); a variety of extracts (for example, Phellodendron amurense, Coptis japonica, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Chinese peony, Japanese green gentian, birch, sage, Eriobotrya japonica, carrot, aloe, common mallow, iris, grape, coix seed, sponge cucumber, lily, saffron, Cnidium officinale, ginger, Hypericum erectum, Restharrows, garlic, red pepper, Citrus reticulata peel, Angelica acutiloba, seaweed, and the like); activators (for example, royal jelly, photosensitizers, cholesterol derivatives, and the like); blood circulation promoters (for example, benzyl nicotinate, α-butoxyethyl nicotinate, capsaicin, zingerone, cantharidis tincture, ichthammol, tannic acid, α-borneol, tocopherol nicotinate, inositol hexanicotinate, cyclandelate, cinnarizine, tolazoline, acetylcholine, verapamil, cepharanthine, γ-oryzanol, and the like); antiseborrheic agents (for example, sulfur, thianthol, and the like); and anti-inflammatory agents (for example, tranexamic acid, thiotaurine, hypotaurine, and the like).

Products able to use the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention are not particularly limited, but the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention can be used in products requiring the advantageous effect of this invention, such as cleansing agents for the body (body shampoos, body soaps and the like), cleansing agents for the face (face cleaning foams and the like) and cleansing agents for hair (shampoos and the like), and can be advantageously used in cleansing compositions requiring viscosity (jelly-like and gel-like compositions and the like).

In addition, the aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) of component (A) of this invention, for which the viscosity of a 1 mass % aqueous solution at 25° C. is 1,000 to 5,000 mPa·s, the clouding point of the 1 mass % aqueous solution is 60° C. to 80° C., and the weight average molecular weight is 10,000 to 30,000, can be used in order to improve at least one, and preferably all, of the advantageous effects selected from among flow properties, temperature stability in terms of viscosity, foaming properties, sustained foaming properties and texture of when hair a skin- or hair-cleansing composition containing an anionic surfactant is applied.

EXAMPLES

This invention will now be explained in detail by means of examples, but this invention is in no way limited to these examples, and may be altered as long as such alterations do not deviate from the scope of this invention. Moreover, in the examples etc. given below, % means mass percentage unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

First, component (A) used in the examples and comparative examples was produced.

<Raw Materials Used to Produce Component (A)>

The raw materials used when producing component (A) are as follows.

Compound (2)-1: A compound in which R¹⁰ is a decyl group, R¹¹ is a dodecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=20 in general formula (2)

Compound (2)-2: A compound in which R¹⁰ is an octyl group, R¹¹ is a decyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=20 in general formula (2)

Compound (2)-3: A compound in which R¹⁰ is a dodecyl group, R¹¹ is a tetradecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=20 in general formula (2)

Compound (2)-4: A compound in which R¹⁰ is a decyl group, R¹¹ is a dodecyl group, R¹² is an ethylene group and r=100 in general formula (2)

Compound (3)-1: A compound in which R¹³ is an ethylene group and t=250 in general formula (3)

Compound (3)-2: A compound in which R¹³ is an ethylene group and t=450 in general formula (3)

Compound (4)-1: Hexamethylene diisocyanate

Compound (4)-2: Dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (hydrogenated MDI)

Catalyst 1: Potassium laurate

Catalyst 2: Sodium laurate

Catalyst 3: Tetraisopropyl titanate

Catalyst 4: Dibutyltin dilaurate

<Method for Producing Component (A)>

550 g (0.05 moles) of compound (3)-1 and 198 g (0.16 moles) of compound (2)-1 were placed in a four neck flask equipped with a temperature gauge, a nitrogen inlet tube and a stirrer, the temperature was increased to 40° C. to 50° C., stirring was carried out until the components were homogeneously mixed, and once it had been confirmed that components were homogeneously mixed, 29.6 g (0.18 moles) of compound (4)-1 and 5.8 g (0.02 moles) of catalyst 1 were placed in the flask, and the system was purged with nitrogen. Component (A)-1 was then obtained by increasing the temperature to 80° C. to 90° C. and allowing a reaction to take place for 6 hours at this temperature.

Components (A)-2 to (A)-12 were produced by means of a similar method using the raw materials shown in Table 1. Moreover, components (A)-9 and (A)-10 were produced without using a catalyst, and components (A)-1 to (A)-12 were all produced using the same total mass of compound (2), compound (3) and compound (4), which are raw materials (that is, the mass of the overall reaction system).

TABLE 1 Usage quantities (moles) of raw Raw materials materials Compound Compound Compound Compound Compound Compound (2) (3) (4) Catalyst (2) (3) (4) Catalyst Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.16 0.05 0.18 0.02 (A)-1 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-2 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-3 (2)-2 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-4 (2)-3 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.07 0.04 0.07 0.02 (A)-5 (2)-4 (3)-1 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.07 0.03 0.07 0.02 (A)-6 (2)-1 (3)-2 (4)-1 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-7 (2)-1 (2)-1 (4)-2 1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-8 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 2 Component Compound Compound Compound None 0.16 0.05 0.18 — (A)-9 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 Component Compound Compound Compound None 0.11 0.06 0.11 — (A)-10 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-11 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 3 Component Compound Compound Compound Catalyst 0.11 0.06 0.11 0.02 (A)-12 (2)-1 (3)-1 (4)-1 4

The constitutions and physical properties of obtained components (A)-1 to (A)-12 are shown in Table 2. Moreover, the obtained components (A) were mixtures of an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g in general formula (1) is 1 to 10 and an aqueous gelling agent in which the value of g is 0, and the mass ratios of the aqueous gelling agents are also shown in Table 2.

Method for Measuring Viscosity of 1 Mass % Aqueous Solution

Measurement samples were prepared by adding water to the obtained components (A) so as to obtain a 1 mass % aqueous solution, and the viscosity of each aqueous solution was measured at 25° C. using a B type viscometer (a TVB-10 available from Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

Method for Measuring Clouding Point of 1 Mass % Aqueous Solution

The thus prepared 1 mass % aqueous solution of component (A) was placed in a constant temperature bath, the temperature was gradually increased (at a rate of approximately 1° C./min), and the clouding point (° C.) was taken to be the temperature at which turbidity occurred.

Method for Measuring Weight Average Molecular Weight

Weight average molecular weight was measured by means of gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Detailed measurement conditions are as follows.

GPC apparatus: HLC-8220GPC (Tosoh Corporation)

Column: Five columns connected in series, namely one TSKgel guard column SuperMP (HZ)-N column and four TSKgel SuperMultipore HZ-N columns.

Detector: RI

Sample concentration: 5 mg/ml (in THF solution)

Column temperature: 40° C.

Standard sample: Polystyrene

In component (A), the mass ratio of a compound in which the value of g in general formula (1) is 0 and a compound in which the value of g is 1 to 10 is calculated from the area ratio of charts obtained from the GPC mentioned above.

TABLE 2 constitution of Physical properties component (A) of 1% aqueous solution Weight average of component (A) molecular Mass Viscosity Clouding weight ratio* (mPa · s, 25° C.) point (° C.) Component (A)-1 16,000 85:15 4500 62 Component (A)-2 20,000 90:10 3500 65 Component (A)-3 18,000 90:10 1500 70 Component (A)-4 22,000 90:10 3500 65 Component (A)-5 25,000 90:10 3000 70 Component (A)-6 29,000 85:15 3000 60 Component (A)-7 20,000 90:10 3500 65 Component (A)-8 20,000 90:10 3500 65 Component (A)-9 12,000 80:20 500 90 Component (A)-10 15,000 98:2  800 85 Component (A)-11 13,000 85:15 5500 55 Component (A)-12 12,000 85:15 6000 53 *Mass ratio of (aqueous gelling agent in which value of g is 1 to 10) and (aqueous gelling agent in which value of g is 0) in general formula (1)

<Component B>

Component (B) used in the examples and comparative examples are shown below.

Component (B)-1: Sodium coconut oil fatty acid methyltaurine

Component (B)-2: Sodium coconut oil fatty acid glutamate

Component (B)-3: Sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate

Component (B)-4: Sodium salts of (C14-C16) olefin sulfonic acids

Component (B)-5: Sodium lauryl glucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate

<Component (C)>

Component (C) used in the examples and comparative examples is shown below.

Component (C)-1: Coconut oil fatty acid amidopropyl betaine

<Component (D)>

Component (D) used in the examples and comparative examples is shown below.

Component (D)-1: Poloxamer 184

<Preparation of Cleansing Compositions>

Cleansing compositions were prepared using the above-mentioned components (A) to (D) (see Tables 3 to 7)

TABLE 3 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 Component 10.0 (A)-1 Component 10.0 5.0 (A)-2 Component 10.0 (A)-3 Component 10.0 (A)-4 Component 10.0 (A)-5 Component 10.0 (A)-6 Component 10.0 (A)-7 Component 10.0 (A)-8 Component 10.0 (A)-9 Component 10.0 (A)-10 Component 10.0 (A)-11 Component 10.0 (A)-11 Component 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (B)-5 Purified Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance water Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

TABLE 4 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 6 7 8 9 10 Component 25.0 (A)-1 Component 25.0 (A)-2 Component 25.0 (A)-3 Component 25.0 (A)-4 Component 25.0 (A)-5 Component 25.0 (A)-6 Component 25.0 (A)-7 Component 25.0 (A)-8 Component 25.0 (A)-9 Component 25.0 (A)-10 Component 25.0 (A)-11 Component 25.0 (A)-12 Component 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (B)-1 Component 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (D)-1 Purified Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 300 500 500 500 Unit: g

TABLE 5 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 18 19 20 21 11 12 13 14 15 Component 15.0 (A)-1 Component 15.0 (A)-2 Component 15.0 (A)-3 Component 15.0 (A)-8 Component 15.0 (A)-9 Component 15.0 (A)-10 Component 15.0 (A)-11 Component 15.0 (A)-12 Component 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 (B)-3 Component 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 12.5 (B)-4 Component 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 25.0 (D)-1 Purified Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Water Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

TABLE 6 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 Component (A)-1 25.0 Component (A)-2 25.0 Component (A)-9 5.0 Component (A)-10 25.0 Carboxyvinyl 25.0 polymer Xanthan gum 25.0 Component (B)-1 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 Component (C)-1 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 Purified water Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g Carboxyvinyl polymer: Carbopol 980 (available from Nippon Lubrizol) Xanthan gum: Keltrol CG-T (available from Sansho Co., Ltd.)

TABLE 7 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example 24 25 21 22 23 24 Component 25.0 25.0 (A)-2 Component 25.0 25.0 (A)-10 Component 25.0 25.0 25.0 (B)-1 Component 15.0 2.5 15.0 15.0 2.5 2.5 (B)-2 Component 15.0 15.0 15.0 (C)-1 Component 25.0 15.0 25.0 25.0 15.0 15.0 (D)-1 Purified Water Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Total 500 500 500 500 500 500 Unit: g

<Cleansing Composition Performance Evaluations>

The cleansing compositions of Examples 1 to 25 and Comparative Examples 1 to 24, which were produced using the compositions shown in Tables 3 to 7, were evaluated in terms of (1) flow properties, (2) temperature stability in terms of viscosity, (3) foaming properties, (4) sustained foaming properties and (5) texture (fresh feeling) when applied. Evaluation criteria are as described below. Moreover, viscosity measurements were carried out using a B type viscometer (a TVB-10 available from Toki Sangyo Co., Ltd.).

(1) Flow Properties

In cases where a cleansing composition was used as a body shampoo, a hair shampoo, or the like, a sensory evaluation test was carried out as to whether or not the composition exhibited flow properties that facilitated such a use. Skin- or hair-cleansing compositions used as body shampoos, hair shampoos, and the like, are often used by applying the cleansing composition to the hand and then spreading the composition across the body or hair, or by foaming the cleansing composition after allowing the composition to penetrate into a towel or the like. Therefore, liquids having low viscosity, such as water, have usage drawbacks such as the liquid dripping from hands or towels. In addition, body shampoos, hair shampoos, and the like, are often housed in pump type containers, and these cleansing agents must have a viscosity suitable for being discharged from such containers. That is, if the viscosity is too high also, drawbacks occur in terms of handling during use, such as ease in applying and spreading the cleansing agent on the body or hair. That is, the usability during use of a cleansing agent such as a body shampoo or hair shampoo was evaluated from the perspective of flow properties in this test according to the criteria given below.

Specifically, 50 g of cleansing compositions prepared using the compositions shown in Tables 3 to 7 were placed in 100 mL pump type containers and comprehensively evaluated by 10 people in terms of (i) ease of discharge from the pump type container and (ii) ease of application and spreading (ease of handling) when the cleansing cosmetic was discharged into the palm of the hand and applied to the hair or body, with the highest score being 5 points (and the lowest score being 1 point), and the total scores were evaluated as A to E using the criteria below. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be a pass.

A: Total score of 45 to 50 points

B: Total score of 40 to 44 points

C: Total score of 35 to 39 points

D: Total score of 30 to 34 points

E: Total score of 29 points or less

(2) Temperature Stability in Terms of Viscosity

100 g of the samples shown in Tables 3 to 7 were placed in transparent glass containers and stored for 2 months in constant temperature baths at temperatures of 25° C. or 50° C. The state (viscosity) of each sample was then measured at 25° C., and the difference between the viscosity of a sample stored at 25° C. (standard value) and the viscosity of a sample stored at 50° C. was calculated as the degree of change in viscosity from these results, and evaluated as A to D, as shown below. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be a pass.

A: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at 50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was not more than 10%.

B: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at 50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was more than 10% but not more than 20%.

C: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at 50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was more than 20% but not more than 30%.

D: The degree of change in the viscosity of a sample stored at 50° C. compared to that of a sample stored at 25° C. was more than 30%.

(3) Foaming Properties

First, 1 g of samples shown in Tables 3 to 7 were added to 100 mL of distilled water and homogeneously mixed. Next, 10 mL of each obtained mixed solution was placed in a 100 mL cylindrical container (a measuring cylinder) equipped with a stopper, the container was shaken up and down for approximately one minute, and the amount of foam was measured immediately after the shaking. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be a pass.

A: Good foaming (50 mL or more of foam)

B: Average foaming (at least 20 mL but less than 50 mL of foam)

C: Poor foaming (less than 20 mL of foam)

(4) Sustained Foaming Properties

Following the foam volume measurements described above, the container was allowed to stand for 5 minutes, the volume of foam was measured again, and the ratio of the volume of foam immediately after shaking and the volume of foam after 5 minutes was calculated. The calculation formula for this ratio is as below. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be a pass. (Volume of foam after 5 minutes/volume of foam immediately after shaking) A: Good sustained foaming properties (ratio of 0.8 or more) B: Average sustained foaming properties (ratio of at least 0.6 but less than 0.8) C: Poor sustained foaming properties (ratio of less than 0.6)

(5) Texture (Fresh Feeling) when Applied

Specifically, texture (fresh feeling) when applied means a comprehensive evaluation of (I) fresh feeling after applying approximately 2 g of a sample shown in Tables 3 to 7 to the hand, spreading the sample across the whole hand and then rinsing the hand with water and (II) fresh feeling after wiping away moisture with a towel or the like. Ten people were instructed to comprehensively evaluate the texture mentioned above for the samples shown in Tables 3 to 7, with the highest score being 5 points (and the lowest score being 1 point), and the total scores were evaluated as A to E using the criteria below. In these evaluations, B or higher was taken to be a pass.

A: Total score of 45 to 50 points

B: Total score of 40 to 44 points

C: Total score of 35 to 39 points

D: Total score of 30 to 34 points

E: Total score of 29 points or less

TABLE 8 Comp Comp Comp . Comp . Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 Flow A A B B B A B B A C C B B E properties Temperature A A A A A A A A A B B C C D stability in terms of viscosity Foaming A A A A A A A A A B B C C B properties Sustained A A A A A A A A A B B C C C foaming properties Texture A A B A B A A B A C C C C D when applied

TABLE 9 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 6 7 8 9 10 Flow A A B B A B A A C C B B E properties Temperature A A A A A A A A B B C C D stability in terms of viscosity Foaming A A A A A A A A B B C C B properties Sustained A A A A A A A A B B C C C foaming properties Texture A A A B A A B A C C C C D when applied

TABLE 10 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 18 19 20 21 12 12 13 14 15 Flow A A A A C C B B D properties Temperature A A A A B B C C D stability in terms of Viscosity Foaming A A A A B B C C B properties Sustained A A A A B B C C C foaming properties Texture A A A A B B D D D when applied

TABLE 11 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example Example 22 23 16 17 18 19 20 Flow properties A A C C D C D Temperature A A B B D B D stability in terms of viscosity Foaming properties A A B B C C C Sustained foaming A A B B C C C properties Texture when applied A A B B C D D

TABLE 12 Comp. Comp. Comp. Comp. Example Example Example Example Example Example 24 25 21 22 23 24 Flow properties A A C D C D Temperature A A B D B D stability in terms of viscosity Foaming properties A A B C B C Sustained foaming A A B B B C properties Texture when A A B D B C applied

It was understood from the results above that the product of this invention is a cleansing composition that is favorable in terms of all of (1) flow properties, (2) temperature stability in terms of viscosity, (3) foaming properties, (4) sustained foaming properties and (5) texture (fresh feeling) when applied.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

That is, the skin- or hair-cleansing composition of this invention that exhibits suitable flow properties, has high temperature stability in terms of the viscosity thereof, exhibits excellent foaming properties and sustained foaming properties, and imparts a better texture when applied than conventional cleansing agents. From a user's point of view, this cleansing composition exhibits a more favorable feeling of use, meets high expectations and is extremely useful. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition, the method comprising: a step of obtaining an aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) below by adding an alcohol compound represented by general formula (2) at a molar ratio of 1.5 to 2.4 and a polyalkylene glycol represented by general formula (3) at a molar ratio of 0.5 to 1.4 to a diisocyanate compound represented by general formula (4) at a molar ratio of 2, and allowing these components to react in the presence of a higher fatty acid metal salt, and a step of combining said aqueous gelling agent with an anionic surfactant;

wherein R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R³, R⁵ and R⁷ each denote represent a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁶ each independently denote a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms, a and e each independently denote a number from 10 to 100, d denotes a number from 100 to 500, and g denotes a number from 0 to 10;

wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ each independently denote a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R¹² denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and r denotes a number from 10 to 100;

wherein R¹³ denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and t denotes a number from 100 to 500; and OCN-Q-NCO  (4) wherein Q denotes a divalent hydrocarbon group having 3 to 16 carbon atoms.
 2. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, wherein R¹, R², R⁸ and R⁹ in the aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) each independently denote an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 10 to 12 carbon atoms.
 3. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ and R⁶ in the aqueous gelling agent represented by general formula (1) each independently denote a divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
 4. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is one or more selected from the group consisting of a higher fatty acid salt-based surfactant, a sulfonic acid salt-based surfactant and a sulfate ester salt-based surfactant.
 5. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, further comprising a step of combining said aqueous gelling agent with an amphoteric surfactant.
 6. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 5, wherein the amphoteric surfactant is a betaine-based amphoteric surfactant.
 7. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, further comprising a step of combining said aqueous gelling agent with a polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer.
 8. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 1, wherein the higher fatty acid metal salt is one or more kinds of higher fatty acid metal salts selected from the group consisting of lauric acid metal salts, myristic acid metal salts, palmitic acid metal salts, stearic acid metal salts, and oleic acid metal salts.
 9. The method for producing a skin- or hair-cleansing composition according to claim 8, wherein the higher fatty acid metal salt is a lauric acid metal salt. 